Happy Spring & A Time of Recharging

I didn't realize it had been so long since I had posted.  Twelve whole days!  And now winter has turned to spring!  The renewal of spring is a reminder of how we "recharge" in our lives.  After the harsh, cold winter, the leaves begin sprouting new leaves, ready to grow, bloom, take on the wind.  The grass greens up after being dormant.  It begins to grow and spread.  The bugs will begin making their way into the world instead of being buried in the ground.  They are preparing for their own "battles", I suppose.

We enjoyed having our college kids home during Spring Break.  We didn't do a lot, but worked and played together around home.  How nice!  I know that next year neither of them will be here the whole break, so having one the whole time and one part-time was special. It's always special being together.

When we get together as a family, it is a time for recharging.  Anything that we've faced in the world out there on our own seems a little better -a little less harsh - when we are together.  For our children, the last several weeks of school will be a little easier because we did recharge.  We prayed together. We had devotionals together.  We talked about spiritual matters and worldly matters - together.  We grew closer.  The battles of life will be easier fought because of the strength of our family.

The church, as the family of God, provides our spiritual family and that bond should be stronger than even our blood lines.  The blood of Jesus made that spiritual bond unbreakable.  Coming together for worship and Bible study is a time of recharging.  It makes us stronger because there is strength in numbers, but also should give us even more faith and confidence in the One who is with us all of the time - Christ.  He and the Father and the Spirit are ONE. They are helping us each and every day in every situation. We can recharge our spiritual batteries and put on our armor - ready to stand strong each and every day.  Battles can be won because HE is with us!

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Ephesians 6:10-18